Understanding Premises Liability and Slip and Fall Accidents

By Michael Verna on December 14, 2016

One of the most common types of premises liability cases are slip and fall accidents. Premises liability involves an accident and injury that resulted from unsafe conditions on someone’s property. The conditions under which a slip and fall occur can vary greatly and can happen in almost any setting. The injuries the victim sustains can range from minor to severe and life threatening. Our attorneys can assist with premises liability and slip and fall claims that happen in the Walnut Creek, CA area.

Where Do Slip and Fall Accidents Happen?

Slip and fall accidents can happen almost anywhere that neglect has resulted in unsafe conditions. They are common in grocery stores and shopping malls where neglected product spills can create hazardous conditions. They can also happen in offices, construction sites, parking lots or garages, private residential properties, and public properties.

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents

There are a wide range of potential causes of these types of accidents and can include:

Water or oil from a roof or equipment leak, product spills, or even wet weather conditions outside

Warped or uneven flooring

Damaged steps, indoors or outdoors

Uneven sidewalks and walkways

Debris in walkways, or failure to clean snow and ice from walkways

What Types of Injuries Can a Slip and Fall Cause?

A slip and fall accident can cause a variety of different injuries, ranging from minor to severe. On the minor end of the spectrum are bruises, sprains, minor cuts, and minor broken bones. On the more severe end are head injuries like concussions, brain injuries, and spinal cord injuries. Severe injuries can cause permanent damage, resulting in exorbitant medical expenses and a reduced quality of life for the victim.

Determining Liability

While you may think that, if your injury occurred on another party’s property, he or she is automatically liable for your injuries, that is untrue. The property owner is only liable under certain circumstances. This makes it essential that you work with one of our experienced attorneys to investigate and file your claim. For the owner (and/or an employee) to be liable for your injuries, we must meet one of the following requirements.

The owner or an employee caused the hazardous condition

The owner or employee was aware of the hazardous condition but failed to take action to warn others or correct the defect

The owner or employee should have been aware of the hazard, as a reasonable property owner or caretaker would have discovered and corrected the hazard

In addition, we must also prove that you, the victim, had a legal right to be on the property, as well as a legitimate reason for being in the area of the hazard. It is also important to make it clear that you were not acting carelessly when the accident occurred.

Contact Bowles & Verna, LLP Today

If you suffered an injury in a slip and fall accident on another’s property, contact our law firm today to speak with one of our attorneys about your case.